Explosive package



Jan- 22, 1946- E. s. BELLINGER EXPLOSIVE PACKAGE Filed Dec. 5, 1940 FIG.- I

Eusfiqcc. S. PaeWws e-r INVEFQOR.

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Patented Jan. 22, 1946 EXPLO SIVE PACKAGE Eustace S. Bellinger, Hercules, Calif., assignor to Hercules Powder Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application December 5, 1940, Serial No. 368,565

6 Claims.

This invention relates to explosive cartridges and more particularly to an explosive cartridge having incorporated therewith an improved lowering string.

In blasting practice it is customary to drill a plurality of vertical holes varying from a few feet to possibly a hundred feet or more in depth. Explosive cartridges are then loaded into these holes and exploded in a well known manner.

There are several ways of loading the vertical holes. When working with explosives of relatively low sensitivity it may be possible to drop the explosives down the bore hole, the paper shell or wrappings surrounding the explosive often being ruptured when the cartridge strikes the bottom of the hole or the top of a cartridge previously inserted. While this method may work with explosives of low sensitivity, and in relatively dry holes in which the bore hole is sufiiciently smooth and straight, it is not satisfactory with explosives of higher sensitivity and in holes partly filled with water or in holes having rough and uneven sides.

In other cases the cartridges are encased in a harness, bag or web of netting or similar material. Lowering means are attached to the top of the encasing member and the cartridge lowered into the hole at a desired speed and under the control of the operator. a pull or jerk releases the lowering means and permits its withdrawal.

These devices are subject to the disadvantage that they are relatively costly to manufacture, it being understood, of course, that they can be used only once and are destroyed when the cartridge is fired.

There is the further disadvantage that the completed cartridge must be placed in th bag or harness and the end of the bag or harness suitably fastened together so that the cartridge will not become disengaged therefrom. All'this is time consuming and adds to the cost of the cartridge.

If the bag or harness is not initially placed on the cartridge there is the additional disadvantage of performing this bothersome and time consuming job at the scene of the blasting operation. The factors of safety, handling and time make this type of loading objectionable. I

A further serious disadvantage is apparent when such cartridges are loaded into the bore holes. If the sides of the holes are rough and uneven there is a tendency for the bag or harness to be caught by the rough and uneven sides thus blocking the hole and rendering it necessary to dislodge the cartridge. All of this requires addi- When lowered into place tional time and effort and in some cases is quite dangerous.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved explosive cartridge or package which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art devices.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an economical, efflcient and simple means whereby a dynamite or other explosive cartridge may be expeditiously moved and lowered into a bore hole.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved explosive cartridge which has incorporated therewith and as an intgeral part thereof a lifting and lowering means whereby the cartridge can be delivered to the scene of operations ready for lowering into a drill hole without other preparation than the attaching of a lowering hook.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a lowering string for a dynamite cartridge.

Another object of this invention is to provide an explosive cartridge having improved lowering means and so constructed that there are no knots or'other obstructions on the exterior side walls of the cartridge.

Other and further objects of this invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

Generally described, the present invention comprises a dynamite cartridge having incorporated as a part thereof a lowering string. This string or equivalent means is attached to a member which is either within the cartridge and preferably embedded in or disposed beneath the explosive material, or on the exterior of the cartridge and beneath the bottom thereof.

A preferred embodimentof the invention has 'been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device showing the cartridge in dotted lines and the lowering device operatively positioned therein; Figure 2 is adetailed view in elevation showing the manner of connecting the upper and lower strings; Figure 3 is a plan view of the lower anchor member; Figure 4 is a plan view of the upper guide member; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device 55 showing the cartridge in dotted lines and the lowering device operatively positioned therein with the anchor member disposed in the lower portion of the cartridge.

Referring more specifically to the drawing for a. complete description of the invention the un mcral I designates a dynamite or other explosive cartridge of a type well known in the art. Such cartridges are usually cylindrical in shape and comprise an envelope of heavy paper treated with wax or other material to render it moisture proof and to render it proof against the attack of the explosive charge placed therein. The ends of the cartridge are closed by folding over the paper so as to provide a substantially moisture proof assembly. It will be understood, of course, that the shape, size and weight of the cartridge may be varied in accordance with the requirements of use and practic and may vary from about 2" to about 7 /2" in diameter, 8" to 36" in length, and up to about 50 pounds in weight.

The numeral I I designates a substantially rectangular member which may be made of any suitable material such as cardboard, plywood, fibreboard, etcstreated with a material such as paramn to render it moistureproof, and proof against deterioration by softening or otherwise whether from ingredients of the explosive or for other cause, and to increase the strength and/or stiffness of the member. Applicant in one instance has found that cardboard answered the purpose verywell. For example a flat piece of cardboard 4;" thick, having a length substantially equal to the diameter of the cartridge and a width equal to approximately the diameter of the cartridge has proven very satisfactory. It

will be understood of course, that such dimensions are by no means limiting and that the thickness, width and length may all be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The member II has adjacent each end thereof openings I2, the purpose of which will be apparent hereinafter. These openings are shown adjacent the ends of the member I I but obviously may be shifted toward or awayfrom one another as desired.

When the member I I is disposed within the cartridge as shown in Figure 1 it is desirable to trim or bevel the corners thereof as shown at I3 to avoid puncturing the envelope of the cartridge or shell while it is being handled and/or shipped.

Numeral Id designates the upper string guiding member which may suitably be of the same size, shape and material and provided with trimmed or bevelled edges I5, all as shown by the member II. The member I4 is provided with a slit or cut I6 extending from the mid-point of one longitudinal side thereof inwardly to the longitudinal axis of said member and at right angles thereto. The slit or cut I is preferably made with a knife or other sharp edged tool so as not to remove any of the material of the member I4. This insures that the string will be securely gripped in the slit.

A loop of twine or string I I is threaded through the openings I2 of the member II so that an intermediate portion thereof lies under the member II. The end portions extend upwardly and are fastened together by means of a, knot as shown at I8, the length of the twine or string being such that the knot is located about of the distance up through the center of the shell when the string is drawn taut as in Figure 1. This knot may be a square knot as shown more particularly in Figure 2. The member I! may comprise string, twine, clothes line, rope, wire or other flexible medium. Applicant has found that 2 ply medium Java twine works very satisfactorily giving the desired strength and possessing characteristics such as thickness which render its tearing through the member II unlikely.

A second loop of twine or similar material I9 is connected to the loop I 1 and extends upwardly with the closed end of the loop projecting from the end of the cartridge as shown in Figure 1. The string I9 is connected to the string H in a manner shown more particularly in Figure 2. The ends of I9 are looped as shown at 20 and 2I and knotted together as shown at 22.

The member I9 may be made of any suitable material such as cord, string, wire, twine, cloth, etc. Applicant has found that No. 36 Italian twine answers the purpose quite well, having the desired properties of strength and flexibility and being cheap and readily purchased.

In the assembly of the explosive cartridge ac cording to the illustrated embodiment the strings I1 and I9 and rectangular cardboard pieces II and It may be prepared at the shell house where there is no necessity for gloves; Thus the parts I I, I4, I! and I9 may be assembled and dipped in parafiin, the part I4 then being temporarily removed during the packing operation.

The above assembly is then removed to the Pack House where the explosive cartridges are packed with explosive. In this operation the member II is placed flatwise in the bottom of the shell, the operator holding the top of the looped twine in his hand. A volume of loose powder equivalent to approximately of the length of the cartridge is scooped in. This quantity is jarred down by lifting both the shell and the string. After the initial jarring, further increments of powder are added in smaller quantities and all further jarring is done by lifting and dropping the shell and powder by the lowering string which automatically centers the string.

After the necessary quantity of powder has been added, the guide member I4 is placed on top of the powder in the shell. The looped string I9 is snugly drawninto the slit I6 and is thus firmly held in place. This prevents the string from cutting its way out of the center of the cartridge which might subsequently permit the suspended cartridge to hang out of plumb while being lowered into a hole. The end of the shell 'is then folded over and crimped in well known manner by a maul or mechanical crimper. Since the flap produced by folding the end of the shell extends somewhat past the center of the cartridge it is torn slightly to accommodate the protruding string I9. This however, is a very slight tear and the paper fits around the string snugly. If a double shell is used, the inner shell is first folded separately, followed with a folding and locking of the outer one.

In the event the powder is to be packed in the cartridge by means of a tamp, the assembly according to the present invention may be made by threading the string through a centrally located hole in the tamp.

In some cases it maybe necessary and/or desirable to have the members II and/or l4 located on the exterior of the cartridge. Thus where it is desirable to incorporate the lowering strings with a completed cartridge the string or cord may be threaded through the center of the cartridge with a Monel metal needle or other suitable means. The lowering cord on the bottom end is attached to a disc or rectangular member, such as H, of plywood, cardboard, or other suitable material disposed on the exterior of the cartridge beneath the bottom thereof. The upper end of the string passes through a guide member, such as N, disposed either within or without the cartridge and is looped as shown in Figure 1. When used on the exterior of the cartridge the member ll may be provided with an additional opening located centrally thereof to serve as a guide and centering means for the lowering string. The completed cartridge may be suitably waterproofed so as to prevent moisture getting into the explosive material.

. It is to be understood that various features of the device may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus in the embodiment shown the strings I! and I9 may be fastened together by any suitable type of knot or by a clasp. The relative lengths of these strings may likewisebe varied and the point of connection shifted upwardly or downwardly.

Or if desired a single loop of string may be used rather than the two shown. In some cases it may be preferable to run the string upwardly between the explosive material and the side of the envelope. This eliminates embedding the string within the explosive material.

It' is likewise possible to vary the shape and/or size of the members H and M. It is, for example. possible to have them circular or polygonal and of smaller or larger diameter to suit particular uses. The positions of the openings l2 may be varied and/or additional openings provided whereby the string may be threaded upwardly or downwardly through the openings or the opening may be slit to allow insertion of the string without threading. The slit 16 may be replaced by a circular opening through which the string may be passed and centered.

A further modification and one within the purview of applicantsinvention consists in having the member ll embedded in the explosive material at some point spaced from the bottom of the shell but preferably adjacent thereto as specifically shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment the transversely-extending anchor member II is embedded in the explosive charge in the lower portion of the cartridge and nonintegral therewith. The strings I! and ii! are shortened as required and the assembly of the device is substant ally as heretofore described employing the openings i2, guiding member M with bevelled edges l5 and slit l6. V

The complete cartridges are packed in suitable containers or conveyers and transported to the scene of the blasting operations. Here they may readilybe handled either by hand or by suitable lifting devices and packed or placed in bore holes, the projecting loop portion of the string l9 being easily grasped by hand or by a hook forming a part of the lifting means.

My improved cartridge has the advantage that it is easy and economical to manufacture.

A further advantage is that the lowering string is so incorporated with the cartridge as to leave the exterior peripheral portions thereof unobstructed thus facilitating lowering and loading in the drill hole.

A still further advantage of the invention is that the incorporation of the lowering string with the cartridge in the mannerheretofore stated provides a completed cartridge which may be delivered to the scene of blasting operations ready to be loaded into the drill hole and without any handling other than that actually necessary to lift and lower it. Thus the costly time consuming and sometimes dangerous expedient of encasing the cartridge in a bag is eliminated.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a-limiting sense.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. An explosive cartridge comprising: an explosive charge. a cylindrical tubular envelope hBN- having a plane cross section which extends substantially across a diameter of the envelope. with said plane cross section disposed substantially perpendicular to the long axis of said envelope. and said centering member being provided with centering means in the longitudinal axis of the envelope: said flexible supporting means bein anchored to and adapted to support the anchor member with its plane surface disposed in a horizontal plane. the supporting means extending from said anchor member. through the explosive charge through the centering means of the centering member. to and projecting from the top enclosure of said envelope. with its axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of said envelope. at least a portion of the supporting means extending linearly from a position in an upper portion of the charge through the centering means in said centering member.

. eter of the envelope andwith said plane surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the long axis of said envelope; said centering member having a plane cross section which extends substantially across a diameter of the envelope. with said plane cross section disposed substantially perpendicular to the long axis of said euvelope. and said centering member being provided with centering means in the longitudinal axis of the envelope; said flexible supporting means being anchored to and adapted to support the anchor member at two positions thereof substantiallydiametrically opposed one to the other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the envelope and extending in loop-like manner into an upper portion of the charge, said anchor member being disposed with its plane surface in porting means partially disposed within the charge and projecting from the top enclosure of the envelope, an anchor member for said sup- .porting means disposed beneath said charge, and a centering member for said supporting means disposed above said charge; said anchor member being substantially rigid and having a plane surface which extends substantially across a diameter of the envelope and with said plane surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the long axis of said envelope; said centering member having a plane cross section which extends substantially across a diameter of the envelope, with said plane cross section disposed substantially perpendicular to the long axis of said envelope, and said centering member being provided with centering means in the longitudinal axis of the envelope; said flexible supporting means comprising a first flexible means anchored to and adapted to support the anchor member at two positions thereof substantially diametrically opposed one to the other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the envelope and extending in loop-like manner into an upper portion of the charge, the anchor member being disposed with its plane surface in a horizontal plane, and a second flexible means secured to the said first flexible means at a position in an upper portion of the charge and in a longitudinal axis of the envelope and extending linearly along said longitudinal axis through the centering means in said centering member.

4. An explosive cartridge comprising: an exhaving bottom and top enclosures surrounding the charge, a nonmetallic string-like flexible supporting means partially disposed within the charge and projecting from the top enclosure of the envelope, an anchor member for said supporting means disposed in a lower portion of said charge. and a centering member for said supporting means disposed above said charge; said anchor member being substantially rigid and having a plane surface which extends substantially across a diameter of the envelope and with said plane surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the long axisof said envelope; said centering member having a plane cross section whichextends substantially across a diameter of the envelope, with said plane cross section disposed substantially perpendicular to the long axis of said envelope, and said centerin member being provided with centering means in the longitudinal axis of the envelope; said flexible supporting means being anchored to and adapted to support the anchor member with its plane surface disposed in a horizontal plane, the supporting means extending from said anchored member, through the explosive charge through the centering means of the centering member, to and projecting from the top enclosure of said envelope, with its axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of said envelope, at least a portion of the supporting means extending linearly from a position in an upper portion of the charge through the centering means in said centering member.

5. An explosive cartridge comprising: an explosive charge, a cylindrical tubular envelope having bottom and top enclosures surrounding the charge, a nonmetallic string-like flexible supporting means partially disposed within the charge and projecting from the top enclosure of the envelope, an anchor member for said supporting means disposed in a lower portion of said charge, and a centering member for said supporting means disposed above said charge; said anchor member being substantially rigid and having a plane surface which extends substantially across a diameter, of the envelope and with said plane surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the long axis of said envelope; said centering member having a plane cross section which extends substantially across a diameter of the envelope, with-said plane cross section disposed substantially perpendicular to the 'long axis of 7 said envelope, and said centering member being provided with centering means in the longitudinal axis of the envelope; said flexible supporting means being anchored to and adapted to'support the anchor member at two positions thereof sub stantially diametrically opposed one to the other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the envelope and extending in loop-like manner into an upper portion of the charge, said anchor member being disposed with its plane surface in a horizontal plane, and said flexible supporting means extending linearly from a position in an upper portion of the charge and in the longitudinal axis of the envelope along said longitudinal axis through the centering means in said centering member.

6. An explosive cartridge comprising: an explosive charge, a cylindrical tubular envelope havingbottom and top enclosures surrounding the charge, a nonmetallic string-like flexible supporting means partially disposed within the charge and projecting from the top enclosure of the envelope, an anchor member for said supporting means disposed in a lower portion of said charge, and a centering member for said supportin means disposed above said charge; said anchor member being substantially rigid and having a plane surface which extends substantially across a diameter of the envelope and with said plane surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the long axis of said envelope; said centering member having a plane cross section which extends substantially across a diameter of the envelope, with said plane cross section disposed substantially perpendicular to the long axis of said envelope, and said centering member being provided with centering means in the longitudinal axis of the envelope; said flexible supporting means comprising a fixed flexible means anchored to and adapted to support the anchor member at two positions thereof substantially diametrically opposed one to the other with respect to the 1ongitudinal axis of the envelope and extending in loop-likemanner into an upper portion of the charge, the anchor member being disposed with itsplane surface in a horizontal pIane and a second flexible means secured to the said first flexible means at a position in an upper portion of the charge and in a longitudinal axis of the envelope and extending linearly along said longitudinal axis through the centering means in said centering member.

EUSTACE s. BELLINGER.

. Malaw 

